Style For Smiles celebrates their 11th anniversary
Something lost, something gained. This is what Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated star Amy Brenneman learned as she dared to say what no one in her family would admit: that the plastic hand puppet her brother had been controlling her life with was in fact just plastic. The illusion that bonded her family together came undone as the 10-year-old refused to submit to her brother's demands and broke the spell of innocence.
Brenneman is among five other celebrities who shared personal stories dealing with the theme of Growing Pains for the 11th annual Style For Smiles event that took place at the Santa Monica Performing Arts Center on Saturday February 26, 2011.
Style For Smiles is an organization founded by Cha Cha Weinstein and Marla Michaels that raises money for four specific charities, CHIME Institute, MADISONS Foundation, THE CHILDRENS LIFESAVING FOUNDATION, and Eisner Pediatric & Family Medical Center- that are aimed at helping children in need by inviting celebrities and recognized public figures to share personal and inspiring stories.
To celebrate their 20th anniversary, the CHIME Institute presented five individuals, all in the entertainment industry, who've reached out to the audience through their touching stories.
Diana Lang, a personal friend of the coordinators, has attended this event for the past six years and proudly supports their cause.
"All the performances were amazing but two particularly stood out to me- the handicapped girl and the woman who spoke about her childhood puppet," said Lang.
The CHIME Institute is a non-profit organization with the goal of supporting all children through high academic teaching.
Though it started small, CHIME has drastically expanded over the past 20 years. "We started with one child, and now we have over 700 children that stay in our program from birth to 14 years. CHIME is continuously aware of what is important- the children," said Michaels.
A special performance was given by legendary guitarist/ singer-songwriter Stephen Stills who also shared a personal experience he had in 1960 Nicaragua.
"I saw a jeep pass right by me loaded with a machine gun. I took a half step and felt a piece of rubble hit the back of my neck. I turn around and that's when I realized they were shooting at me!"
First time attendee Heidi Baldwin enjoyed the evening and was inspired by the performances."I loved every performance but Zachary's poem on love lost struck out the most to me," said Baldwin.
Over the span of 11 years, SFS has raised over 1 million dollars for these charities.
For more information and ways to donate to any of the following charities please visit www.styleforsmiles.org